19-14-107. Creation of veterans' commission; composition; terms.

(a) A Wyoming veterans' commission is created within the military department consisting of twelve (12) members, not less than one (1) of whom shall reside in each judicial district identified in W.S. 5-3-101, appointed by the governor for staggered terms of three (3) years. Commencing with initial appointments made in 2005, four (4) members of the board shall be appointed for a term of one (1) year, four (4) members for a term of two (2) years and four (4) members for a term of three (3) years. Terms thereafter shall be three (3) years and staggered with one-third (1/3) of the members' terms expiring each year. Appointments shall be made without regard to political affiliation, sex, religion or ethnic background. The governor may remove any member as provided in W.S. 9-1-202. A chairman shall be elected by the commission from among its members and a new chairman elected every two (2) years thereafter.

(b) The commission shall meet at least once a year and at the call of the governor. Members shall be reimbursed according to W.S. 9-3-102 and 9-3-103 for per diem and travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

(c) The commission shall:

(i) Study all federal and state legislation affecting veterans, their spouses, dependents and beneficiaries;

(ii) Establish liaison with agencies dealing with veteran's affairs;

(iii) Make recommendations to the legislature and to the governor concerning veterans;

(iv) Adopt policies and procedures necessary to administer the veteran burial team account pursuant to W.S. 19-14-109;

(v) Prepare, maintain and distribute information, by printed material or otherwise, to educate Wyoming veterans and their families regarding veterans' benefits, healthcare and disability claims, pension claims and other matters relevant to veteran status;

(vi) Provide oversight and administrative services for the operation of any veterans' cemetery authorized by W.S. 19-14-108, including but not limited to establishing cemetery directors and advisory boards;

(vii) Provide assistance to Wyoming veterans and their families for the filing and processing of veterans' benefits, veterans' healthcare benefits and United States Department of Veterans Affairs disability and pension claims;

(viii) Administer all vehicle licensing and driver's licensing obligations required of the commission pursuant to title 31;

(ix) Maintain and administer the veterans' commission expendable trust fund pursuant to rules and procedures which shall be promulgated by the commission and approved by the military department;

(x) To the extent the employment of an executive director would aid in accomplishing the duties required by this section and benefit Wyoming veterans, appoint or retain an executive director for such period, upon such terms and conditions and for such compensation as the commission may deem appropriate. Any appointment shall be made with the approval of the adjutant general and the governor and shall be subject to the removal authority provided by W.S. 9-1-202. An executive director may hire and supervise such other staff as may be authorized by the commission and shall be administratively supported by the military department;

(xi) Collect, maintain and preserve physically or electronically any military service records of past and present Wyoming national guard personnel and those veterans who have declared Wyoming as their residence upon separation from the military. This shall include any records maintained by the adjutant general pursuant to W.S. 19-7-103(b)(iii) and (xiv) if delegated such responsibility;

(xii) Perform such other and further tasks as are necessary to carry out the duties imposed by this section or as required by the legislature.